Education expert urges thorough vetting of school staff
There are calls for stricter and regular vetting of people
who work with children at schools.
The latest data from Tenant Profile Network shows nearly 3% of screened school staff have criminal records.
The screenings, conducted between March last year and February this year, flagged education staff for violent and sexual offences.
READ: Childline: Teacher sex offence screening must be ongoing
Education expert Hendrick Makaneta says such an individual should not be allowed to work with children.
"In the case of teachers, they only register once at the South Council for Educators’ offices. That is where they produce police clearance certificates, and after registration, then that's it. You know, they can be with the children for 20 years, and you know, even if something happens along the way, it is always difficult for anybody to know.
“That is why we have called on the government to make sure that, just like renewal of licenses, which is done every five years, these checks and balances should be done every five years."
Makaneta adds that the education sector must balance strict background checks with ongoing staffing shortages and the need to attract qualified teachers.
He says the welfare of the children should always be placed first.
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